Combination switch apparatus.



' A s. L. NEELY,

COMBINATION SWITCH APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED lULY 16. I91].

a SHEETS-SHEET 1.

I V v i v Ll a Ill I n Q q) A WITNESSES v BY Patented May 7,1918.

' ATTORNEY S. L. NEELY.

COMBINATION SWITCH APPARATUS.

APPLICATION HLED'JULY is. 1917.

1,265,242. Patented May 7,1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET' 3- INVENTOR BY A ATTORN EY citizen of the United States,

SAMUEL L. NEELY, OF WILLARD, MISSOURI.

COMBINATION SWITCH APPARATUS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I SAMUEL L. NEELY, a

residing at Willard, in the county of Greene and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Combination Switch Apparatus,

' fication.

This invention relates to combination switch apparatus, and is adapted particularly for use in connectionwith the ignition systems of internal combustion engines.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a combination mechanism for opening and closing the circuit through the igni- I tion system of the combustion engine, and which is capable of being very easily manipulated by those familiar with the combination, but which will be practically impossible of being operated by those unfamiliar with the operative combination.

A further object of the invention is to provide mechanism of the character set forth which includes an improved alarm or signal apparatus, so that the attempted manipulation of the combination mechanism by unauthorized persons will be at'once detected by those in the vicinity of the engine or the alarm mechanism.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in connection with a switch apparatus of the character mentioned an improved illuminating means, the said means operating at once upon the unauthorized handling or fingering of the mechanism to project light rays upon the manipulator, simultaneously with the sounding of the alarm.

Still further and particular objects of the invention reside in the provision of a combination switch apparatus of the character mentioned which is of extremely simple construction and which embodies relatively few parts, which may be constructed at comparatively low cost, which may be maintained at little expense, which has its various movable parts so constructed and assembled as to minimize the opportunity for wear,breakage or derangement, which requires little or no attention after once being installed, and which will prove thoroughly efficient in the attainment of the ends for which it is designed.

With these objects in view together with others which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July is, 1917. semi No. 180,808.

of which'the following is a speci-' Patented May 7, 1918.

formation, combination and arrangement of parts, all as will be described more fully hereinafter, illustrated in the drawings and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the box which houses the circuit making and breakmg mechanism employed in carrying out the invention, the front board of the box being removed,

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view taken substantlally upon line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, the said view being taken upon line 3-3 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken upon line H of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a similar view taken upon line 5-5 of Fig. 3,

Fig.6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the application of my improved control and alarm mechanism to an internal combustion engine,

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the casing for the operating mechanism as the same woild appear when ready for installation, an

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through the upper portion of the casing, and illustrating a slightly modified form of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 6 thereof, 10 indicates the casing of a conventional form of internal combustion engine, 11 the cylinders of the engine, 12 thewires constituting the circuit for the spark plug ignition system, and 13 the battery or other source of electrical energy for supplying current to the spark may be operated equally controlling mechanism of my invention to prohibit their unauthorized use, and, inshort, the invention is adaptable to all forms of mechanisms, devices, and systems wherein the opening or closing of an electric circuit is essential for their operation.

The circuit and alarm controlling mechaism is housed within a casing 14 of any approved size, shape or construction, and, f desired, this housing may be secured within the motor vehicle upon the dash thereof and within convenient reach of the operator of the vehicle. The housing in this instance comprises an elongated box-like structure, havin a central longitudinally disposed. partitlon 15, dividing the easing into upper and lower compartments, larly in Fig. of the drawings. This partition is provided upon its upper surface with a conductor plate 16, the said plate extending throughout the entire length of the casing, and being spaced midway from the lateral edges of the partition. This plate is connected with a binding post 17 by a short wire 18 and the binding post 17 secures the end of the wire 12 leading from one pole of the battery or other source of electrical energy 13. The other terminal for the ignition circuit is secured to a binding post 19, the latter communicating at its inner end with the interior of the casing below the partition 15, and this binding post 19 is connected as by a wire 20 with a contact plate 21 projecting inwardly from the end wall of the casing remote from the binding post 17. The contact member 21 in the present instance comprises a metallic blade or plate, and is at all times engaged with the upper end of a post or conductor 22, the latter being supported upon and insulated from a longitudinally movable bridge member 23 upon the floor of the lower compartment of the housing. The post 22 is electrically connected with a contact post 24 carried by and insulated from the bridge plate 23, by a wire 25.

Arranged for vertical sliding movement within the casing or housing 14 are a plurality of keys or plungers 26, the said plungers extending at their lower ends into the lower compartment in the housing, and being provided upon their upper ends with suitable knobs or finger holds 27. These plungers are limited in their outward sliding movement by shoulders or washers 28 affixed to the said plungers, the said washers being adapted to engage with the under surface of the top of the housing to limit the outward sliding movement of the said keys. It will be observed that the plungers or keys 26 are arranged in rows, .the said rows extending throughout the length of the casing, and the said plungers are formed of metal or other conducting material.

To hold the plungers 26 in their adjusted positions, and to connect the same electrically with the conductor plate 16, springs 29 are provided, the said springs being secured by screws or rivets 30 extending through the plate 16, and provide oppositely extend ing arms 31 (see Fig. 2). These spring arms as shown partial-- 31 frictionally 26 of the longitudinally disposed rows, and exert sufiicient pressure;

upon said plungers to hold the latter in any position to which they may be moved.

The bridge plate 23 is formed of any approved conducting metal, and is affixed to the upper surface of the movable bed or block 32, the said block being capable of moving a short distance longitudinally of the casing. The metallic plate 23 constituting the bridge block or plate is adapted to be engaged by the plungers or keys 26, irrespective of the positions of the supporting block '32, so that the electric current may pass from the plate 16 through said keys to the said bridge plate. An expansion spring 33 is interposed between one end of the bed block 32 and the adjacent end wall of the casing, so that the block and bridge plate will be normally held at the limit of their outward movement.

It will be observed particularly with reference to Fig. 3 of the drawings that the contact member 24 is secured to the bed 32, the metal plate of the bridge member 23 being cut away as at 35 to acommodate the said contact member. It will also be observed that when the bridge plate has been moved by impulse of the springs 33 to its outward limit, the contact member 24 will be so disposed that the depressible plunger or key 26 above the same will not contact with the said member when depressed.

However, when the bed 32 has been moved inwardly against the tension of the springs 33, the contact member will be disposed directly beneath the depressible plunger 26*, so that current may flow from one pole of the battery 13 to the binding post 17, through wire 18 to contact plate 16, through spring arm 31, plunger 26*, through contact member 24, wire 25, post 22, plate 21, wire 20, binding post 19, wire 12 through the spark plugs upon the cylinders of the engine, and back to the battery through the lead' wire connected to the engine casing. When the plunger 26 is raised, however, or when the bed 32 has been moved outwardly, the circuit including the spark plugs will be broken.

The means for shifting the bridge member inwardly against tension of the springs 33, includes a bell-crank lever 40, one arm of which is provided with an elongated slot 41 through which a pin 42 upon one of the longitudinal edges of the bed 32 projects. The other arm of the bell-crank lever 40 is disposed in the path of the inturned end 43 of a plunger 26*. This plunger,26 is identical with the other plungers and keys referred to above, and it is obvious that depression of the plunger 26 will cause the bell-crank 40 to rock upon its pivot 44 to thrust its downwardly disposed arm rearbell 4645,

gaged with the bridge plate wardly, whereupon the bed member 32 and the contacts of the bridge plate 33 carried thereby will be forced inwardly against tension 'of the springs33. When the plunger 26 is released, the sprin 33 will force the said block outwardly, w ereupon the plunger will be moved upwardly, as will be understood.

The signal or alarm mechanism used in connection with a circuit-controlling mechanism such as that above, described, comprises a hell or buzzer 45, and an incandescent lamp 46. These elements 45-46 may be included in a circuit entirely independent of the source 13 of electrical energy, however, in the present instance, are supplied with current from the same source for supplying current to the spark plugs. .The wire 47 is connected to one side of the battery 13 and includes the lamp and and is connected to a binding post 48 upon the rear of the casing 14 and adjacent one endthereof. This binding post is connected as by means of a wire 49 with an inwardly projecting blade 50 secured to the adjacent end wall of the casing, the said blade forming a contact plate, and is located in the lower compartment. This blade is at all times engaged by the upper end of a post 51 mounted upon and in electrical communication with the bridge plate 23. It is obvious, therefore, that when any of the plungers 26. are moved downwardly until en- 23, a circuit including battery 13, wire 47, lamp 46, bell 45, blade 50 and bridge plate 23 will be es tablished, whereupon the lamp and bell will be operated. It is preferred that the bell be located upon the vehicle out of reach of any one in or around the machine, so that the same cannot be muffled, and the lamp 46 is so located upon the vehicle as to direct its lightrays upon the operator of the circuit closing mechanism. If desired, the alarm circuit may also include the running lights of the vehicle, so that closing of the circuit through the alarm mechanism will at once cause the head and running lights of the vehicle to be illuminated whereby the vehicle being tampered with may be readily located.

In Fig. 8 of the drawings, I have illustrated a slightly modified form of the invention, and wherein the various vertically movable plungers or keys 26 are equipped with horizontally and forwardly disposed levers or handles 55, the latter being pivoted as at 56 at the rear ends to the casing or any other suitable support. The levers are each connected to one'of the rods 26 in the manner shown, and it will be understood that the rods or plungers 2626 will in a like manner be provided with levers 55.

In using a combination switch apparatus of this character in connection with a motor vehicle driven by an internal combustion the 'bell and lampengine, the box or casing 14 willbe arranged within the vehicle within convenient reach of the operator thereof. .The bell and all wires leading to and from the casing will be concealed and in such position as to be inaccessible from the exterior of the machine. The owner of the vehicle knowing the combination, will depress the plunger or key 26*, whereupon the bridge plate 23 will be moved inwardly, carrying with it the con-. tact 24, and the latter will pass beneath the plunger 26; It will be observed that the contact member 24 is secured to the base 32 only at one end, and this contact is formed of spring metal having its free end normally extending upwardly. When the base 32 has been moved rearwardly against the tension of the spring 33, the contact 24 will pass beneath and when the latter has been depressed, the springs 33 will move the base32 forwardly so that the free end of the member 24 will be held engaged with the key 26. In addition to assisting in holding the key 26 depressed, this operation maintains the base 32 in retracted position and insures a positive electrical contact between-the key 26 and contact 24. The plunger 26 is then depressed until engaged with the contact 24, whereupon the circuitwhich includes the source of electrical energy and the spark plugs of the engine is completed. The machine may then be operated. When leaving the machine, the operator will raise all of the plungers, and should an unauthorized person or one unfamiliar with the combina- While the present is a disclosure of the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but that various changes in the minor details of construction, proportion and arrangement of parts may be resorted to if desired without departing from the spirit of the invention as definedby the appended claims.

What is claimed is: i

1. In a device of the class described, a slidable plate, a plunger adjacent said plate and adapted to engage the same, a contact insulated from and and means for moving said contact in the plunger.

2. In a device of the class described, a slidable plate, and adapted to engage the same, a contact insulated from and carried by said plate, and means for moving said late' to dispose said contact in'the path 0 travel of said said plate to position path 0 travel of said and beyond the depressible key 26,

and the lamp 46 is I carried by said plate,

. plunger,

' to slide and a spring for normally holding said plate with the contact thereon out o the path of travel of the plunger.

3. In a device of the class described, a slidable plate, a plunger adjacent said plate and adapted to engage the same, a second plunger, :1 rock lever connected to said plate the same, the said second plunger being adapted to move said rock lever, and a contact carried by and insulated from said plate and being disposed in the path of travel of the first mentioned plunger when the plate has moved in one direction.

4. In a device of the class described, a slidable plate, a plunger adiacent said plate and adapted to engage the same, a contact comprising a spring clip carried by and insulated from said plate and being adapted to snap over and to remain in engagement with said plunger when the latter is depressed and when the plate has moved a predetermined distance in one direction, and means for moving said plate.

5. In a device of the class described, a frame, a slidable plate in said frame, a plurality of plungers on said frame adapted when depressed to engage said plate, means for holding said plungers depressed, a contact comprising a spring clip carried by and insulated from said plate and being adapted to cross the path of travel of one of said plungers, means for normally holding said plate at the limit of its movement in one direction, and a depressible key for moving said plate against the impulse of said means.

6. In a device of the class described, a frame, a slidable plate in said frame, a plurality of plungers on said frame adapted when depressed to engage said plate, springs for holding said plungers in adjusted positions, a contact carried by and insulated from said plate and being adapted to cross the path of travel of certain of saidplungers, a rock lever for moving said plate, and a key for moving said lever.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL L. NEELY.

Witnesses:

C. B. CROOK, IsAAe ATCHLEY. 

